Athletic Bilbao midfielder Iker Muniain admits tonight's clash with Atletico Madrid will be special.

Muniain would like to see the Lions build upon their early season form. Athletic have managed five wins, two draws and one loss from their first eight matches of the season.

He said: "We've earned the right to be at the top because we've had good displays and picked up a lot of points. We want to keep winning and establish ourselves at the top of the table and make it difficult to move us from there.

"The team have performed very well so far and we're prepared for any kind of game."

An appearance against Diego Simeone's outfit would see the Athletic captain move beyond Markel Susaeta (507 matches) in the Club's all-time appearance makers list, a feat which would fill Muniain with pride.

"It's very special, it's what everyone dreams of," Iker said.

"It's a huge pleasure and an enormous honour to have reached these figures. To be able to overtake players who are legends of this club and have had impressive careers is incredible."